Strengthening families, changing lives
Update from Permancy Support Program Shoalhaven
The past three months have brought exciting change and fresh energy to the Shoalhaven PSP team. We’re pleased to share that two new caseworkers, Dee and Tanya, have joined us, and they’ve already proven to be outstanding additions. Both stepped into challenging caseloads from day one and have shown incredible commitment and skill in supporting the children, young people, carers and families. Their contribution has strengthened our team and brought meaningful support to the children, young people, and families we work alongside every day. Their willingness to step in, build relationships, and offer support has already made a noticeable difference.
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This past week, we also celebrated Erin’s transition from Casework Support into a Caseworker role, filling the position previously held by Alex. Erin has long been a valued member of our team, and we’re thrilled to see her step confidently into this role. Alex was with WCF for nearly three years and will be missed by all and we wish her the very best.
Overall, it’s been a period of growth, change and bringing a fresh sense of energy and optimism that strengthens our team as we head into the months ahead.
Self‑Care and Work–Life Balance: Looking after the people who look after others
In the work we do, it’s easy to pour so much energy into supporting children, young people, and families that our own wellbeing quietly slips to the side. But the truth is simple: sustaining ourselves is part of sustaining the work. When we take time to rest, reset, and reconnect with life outside the office, we show up with more clarity, patience, and compassion.
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Self‑care doesn’t have to be grand or time‑consuming. It can be as small as a quiet cup of tea before the day starts, a walk at lunch, or setting a firm boundary around when the workday ends. What matters is consistency and choosing practices that genuinely refill your tank.
Here are a few gentle reminders:
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Staying connected — Friends, family, and colleagues can be grounding forces when days feel heavy.
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Checking in with yourself — Noticing stress early makes it easier to respond before it becomes overwhelming.
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Celebrating small wins — Acknowledging progress, even tiny steps, builds resilience and motivation.
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Most importantly, remember that self‑care isn’t self‑indulgence. It’s a professional responsibility and a personal kindness. By looking after ourselves, we strengthen our capacity to look after others.
Families Together Update
As we move toward the official commencement of the Families Together Program on 1 July, a great deal has been happening behind the scenes to ensure we are ready for a smooth start. Staff have been completing training in the onboarding process, referral pathways, and the documentation required for reporting. A special thank you to Jo Gault, who has begun the important work of ensuring our systems will capture the information needed for DCJ reporting.
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We are also excited that we will be officially welcoming Marcus Levett back to the agency as the Families Together Team Leader, commencing 6 July 2026. Many of you will remember Marcus for his friendliness, positivity, and his strong commitment to supporting his team, as well as the children, young people and families we work alongside.
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Marcus will begin with a team of one casework practitioner, Roxanne, and at this stage we have confirmed three families transferring to the program from 1 July. As referrals increase, the team will grow to five casework practitioners, supporting 35 families.
This is an exciting new chapter for our agency, and we look forward to the challenge and opportunity it brings as we establish this important service for families.